press

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of pressing

   the exertion of pressure

2. 2
   verb

   lift weights

   This guy can press 300 pounds

3. 3
   verb

   squeeze or press together

   The lead trumpeter told me to press my lips on the mouthpiece to make a firm seal.

4. 4
   verb

   place between two surfaces and apply weight or pressure

   pressed flowers

5. 5
   verb

   press and smooth with a heated iron

   press your shirts

6. 6
   verb

   exert pressure or force to or upon

   I pressed down on the board with my foot while my friend hammered the nails.

7. 7
   verb

   press from a plastic

   press a record

8. 8
   verb

   crowd closely

   The crowds pressed along the street

Etymology

From Middle English pressen (“to crowd, thring, press”), from Old French presser (“to press”) (Modern French presser) from Latin pressāre, from pressus, past participle of premere "to press". Displaced native Middle English thringen (“to press, crowd, throng”) (from Old English þringan (“to press, crowd”)), Middle English thrasten (“to press, force, urge”) (from Old English þrǣstan (“to press, force”)), Old English þryscan (“to press”), Old English þȳwan (“to press, impress”).